KAC Kenitra Edges Raja Derb Sultan in Morocco 2nd Division Thriller

The Morocco 2nd Division delivered a captivating contest late Monday night as KAC Kenitra overcame a determined Raja Derb Sultan side, winning 79-71 at home. The fixture, which tipped off at 01:00 local time, saw the hosts grind out a hard-fought victory in front of a sparse but vocal crowd. The result keeps Kenitra well-positioned in the mid-table standings, while Raja Derb Sultan remains in the relegation conversation.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, both teams displayed a high defensive intensity, but it was KAC Kenitra’s balanced scoring and disciplined half-court offense that ultimately made the difference. The home side led 20-17 after the first quarter, using a 7-0 run late in the period to seize control. Raja Derb Sultan responded in the second quarter with aggressive drives to the basket, tying the game at 36-all heading into halftime.

Kenitra came out of the locker room with renewed energy, building a 58-51 lead by the end of the third quarter. Raja Derb Sultan refused to fade, cutting the deficit to three points with under four minutes remaining. However, Kenitra’s experience and composure at the free-throw line sealed the win down the stretch.

Key Moments That Decided the Game

• First-quarter surge: KAC Kenitra’s 7-0 burst midway through the opening period set an early tone.
• Third-quarter dominance: The hosts outscored Raja Derb Sultan 22-15 in the third, establishing a lead they would not relinquish.
• Clutch free throws: Kenitra converted 12 of 14 free-throw attempts in the fourth quarter to hold off the visitors’ desperate rally.

Standout Performers

For KAC Kenitra, guard Youssef El Khabbaz led all scorers with 22 points, including 8 points in the critical third quarter. Forward Amine Bouzidi added a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds, providing the interior presence that often frustrated Raja Derb Sultan’s driving lanes.

On the losing side, Omar Zniber poured in 20 points for Raja Derb Sultan, but struggled with efficiency (8-of-22 shooting). Point guard Soufiane Laaroussi dished out 7 assists, yet the team’s turnover total of 17 proved too costly against a disciplined Kenitra defense.

Season Impact and Standings Context

With the victory, KAC Kenitra improves to a 4-4 record in the Morocco 2nd Division, sitting comfortably in the middle of the pack. The win is especially important as the season enters its second half, with relegation and promotion battles heating up. For Raja Derb Sultan (now 2-6), the loss deepens their struggles. They remain near the bottom, but their fighting spirit – especially in the second quarter – suggests they can still climb away from the drop zone if they tighten their defense.

Both teams will have little time to rest as the league schedule continues, but KAC Kenitra will take confidence from this gritty home performance. The late-night atmosphere in Kenitra may have been quiet, but the team’s execution was anything but.